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S243 SBJ

1998 BMW Z3

Blue Petrol 1895cc
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MOT Status

Expired
Expires4 Apr 2026
Tests26 (15 pass, 11 fail)
Pass rate57.7%

Mileage

120,684 mi
Last recorded120,684 miles
Recorded on5 Apr 2025
Typical for 1998 BMW Z376,857 mi

Significantly above average — investigate

4 checks still locked for this BMW
Stolen
Finance
Write-off
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Vehicle Details

RegistrationS243 SBJ
MakeBMW
ModelZ3
Year1998
ColourBlue
Fuel typePetrol
Engine1,895cc

All premium checks include

50+ data points
Finance Check (Experian) Insurance Write-off Salvage Auction Stolen Check Previous Owners Ex-Taxi, Police, NHS Mileage Anomaly Import / Export Scrapped Check Plate Changes

MOT History

15 pass 11 fail
Pass 5 Apr 2025 120,684 miles

Integral body structure is corroded but structural rigidity is not significantly reduced Both sills corroded (6.1.1 (c) (i))

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Brake hose slightly twisted (1.1.12 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Fail 24 Oct 2024 120,618 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (1.6 (b))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Fail 23 Oct 2024 120,616 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Headlamp aim projected beam image is obviously incorrect (4.1.2 (c))

Offside Headlamp not working on dipped beam (4.1.1 (a) (ii))

Pass 15 Sep 2023 117,468 miles
Pass 8 Sep 2022 114,667 miles
Fail 24 Sep 2021 113,789 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Front Tyre fouling a part of the vehicle fouling wheel arch on left hand lock (5.2.3 (f))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively damaged (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Rear fog lamp not working (4.5.1 (a) (ii))

Supplementary restraint system warning lamp indicates a fault (7.1.6 (a))

Offside Front Brake pad(s) wearing thin (1.1.13 (a) (ii))

Offside Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 13 Jul 2020 113,133 miles

Nearside Rear Service brake binding but not excessively (1.2.1 (f))

Fail 10 Jun 2020 113,002 miles

Exhaust Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (8.2.1.2 (c))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Exhaust carbon monoxide content at idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Exhaust hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle exceeds default limits (8.2.1.2 (b))

Nearside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Nearside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Offside Front Brake hose excessively deteriorated (1.1.12 (b) (ii))

Offside Rear Brake pipe excessively corroded (1.1.11 (c))

Pass 5 Sep 2018 112,955 miles

Nearside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

Offside Front Anti-roll bar linkage pin or bush worn but not resulting in excessive movement (5.3.4 (a) (i))

o/s/f n/s/f brake hoses starting to split

o/s/f seat loose

Fail 23 Aug 2018 112,932 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Exhaust mounting defective 2 of 3 not connected (6.1.2 (a))

Front both flexi's perished

Hazard warning switch faulty (4.4.2 (a) (i))

Headlamp lens slightly defective both (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material o/s & n/s on suspension arms (1.1.11 (c))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Fail 10 Aug 2018 112,807 miles

Exhaust carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle exceeds manufacturer's specified limits (8.2.1.2 (a))

Nearside Rear Coil spring fractured or broken (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Nearside Stop lamp(s) not working (4.3.1 (a) (ii))

Offside Front Tyre has a bulge, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure (5.2.3 (d) (i))

Offside Parking brake inoperative on one side (1.4.1 (a))

Offside Windscreen wiper does not clear the windscreen effectively (3.4 (b) (ii))

Parking brake efficiency below requirements (1.4.2 (a) (i))

Brake cable damaged but not to excess both park (1.1.15 (a))

Exhaust mounting defective 2 of 3 not connected (6.1.2 (a))

Front both flexi's perished

Hazard warning switch faulty (4.4.2 (a) (i))

Headlamp lens slightly defective both (4.1.1 (b) (i))

Offside Rear Coil spring corroded (5.3.1 (b) (i))

Oil leak, but not excessive (8.4.1 (a) (i))

Rear Brake disc worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened (1.1.14 (a) (ii))

Rear Brake pipe corroded, covered in grease or other material o/s & n/s on suspension arms (1.1.11 (c))

Windscreen damaged but not adversely affecting driver's view (3.2 (a) (i))

Pass 16 Aug 2017 105,001 miles

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear coil spring corroded (2.4.C.1b)

Windscreen wipers in poor condition

Pass 17 Aug 2016 99,129 miles

Nearside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement rear bush (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated but not resulting in excessive movement rear bush (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Fail 15 Oct 2015 98,812 miles

Anti-lock braking system warning lamp indicates an ABS fault (3.4.1c)

Nearside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Nearside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside Front Lower Suspension arm rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2)

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Offside rear brake recording little or no effort (3.7.B.5a)

Parking brake lever has no reserve travel (3.1.6b)

Parking brake: efficiency below requirements (3.7.B.7)

Nearside Rear Sub-frame rubber bush deteriorated resulting in excessive movement (2.4.G.2) DANGEROUS

Fuel tank strap corroded.

Oil leak

Pass 5 Nov 2014 89,753 miles
Fail 12 Sep 2014 89,645 miles

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

Nearside Rear position lamp(s) not working (1.1.A.3b)

Rear fog lamp not working (1.3.2b)

Nearside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Offside Rear Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Pass 21 Nov 2013 86,043 miles

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

front oil cooler pipes corroded

Fail 21 Nov 2013 86,043 miles

Nearside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

Nearside Headlamp aim too high (1.8)

Offside Front Tyre has ply or cords exposed (4.1.D.1b)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

front oil cooler pipes corroded

Pass 21 Dec 2012 80,201 miles

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

heavy corrosion around front suspension areas

lower steering u/j rubber worn

Fail 19 Dec 2012 81,201 miles

Exhaust emissions Lambda reading after 2nd fast idle outside specified limits (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content at idle excessive (7.3.D.4)

Exhaust emissions hydrocarbon content after 2nd fast idle excessive (7.3.D.3)

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Offside Front Shock absorber has a serious fluid leak (2.7.3)

Nearside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Offside Front Brake hose slightly deteriorated (3.6.B.4d)

Play in steering rack inner joint(s)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 10mm circle within zone 'A' (8.3.1a)

heavy corrosion around front suspension areas

lower steering u/j rubber worn

Pass 10 Jan 2012 77,103 miles

Brake pipe slightly corroded (3.6.B.2c)

Vehicle structure has slight corrosion (6.1.B.2)

all brake disc rusty

Pass 5 Sep 2009 76,953 miles
Fail 3 Sep 2009 76,939 miles

Offside Rear Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm (4.1.E.1)

Nearside Rear Tyre worn close to the legal limit (4.1.E.1)

Pass 22 Aug 2008 75,561 miles

Nearside Front Shock absorber has a light misting of oil (2.7.3)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

both rear tyres getting low

rear brake discs starting to rust

rear brake pads wearing low

rear exhaust system showing signs of rust

Pass 18 Aug 2007 69,237 miles

Nearside Rear brake disc slightly pitted (3.5.1h)

Windscreen has damage to an area less than a 40mm circle outside zone 'A' (8.3.1d)

Pass 8 Aug 2006 64,387 miles

How Reliable is the BMW Z3?

Based on 498,063 MOT tests across 26,000 vehicles.

73.2%
Pass Rate
2,128
Miles/Year
29
Year Lifespan
26,000
On UK Roads

Top MOT Failure Points

Brake pipe excessively corroded 17,103
Tyre tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm 15,600
Suspension arm has excessive play in a ball joint 10,064
position lamp(s) not working 9,305
Exhaust emissions carbon monoxide content after 2nd fast idle excessive 7,992
Full BMW Z3 reliability report

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Not all vehicle check providers are the same. Some don't offer a data guarantee, which means if their information is wrong, you're on your own. Every CarVerify report is backed by a £30,000 finance data guarantee.

£30k guarantee Instant results Cancel anytime

S243 SBJ is a 1998 BMW Z3 in Blue with a 1,895cc petrol engine. This vehicle has been through 26 MOT tests with a personal pass rate of 57.7%.

Across all 1998 BMW Z3 models, the average MOT pass rate is 72.1% with a typical mileage of 76,857 miles. This particular vehicle has a lower pass rate than the average for its year, which may indicate maintenance issues worth investigating.

The most common reason a BMW Z3 fails its MOT is brake pipe excessively corroded, accounting for 17,103 recorded failures. If you're considering buying S243 SBJ, it's worth having these areas checked by a mechanic before committing.

The BMW Z3 typically stays on UK roads for around 29 years. At 28 years old, this BMW Z3 is approaching the upper end of the typical lifespan for this model.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check the history of S243 SBJ?

You can check the full history of S243 SBJ by running a full vehicle check. This shows you finance, stolen, write-off, MOT history, mileage records and more.

What year was S243 SBJ registered?

S243 SBJ is a 1998 BMW Z3, first registered on 10 August 1998.

Is S243 SBJ safe to buy?

The MOT history for S243 SBJ shows 26 tests with a 57.7% pass rate. To check for outstanding finance, stolen markers, write-off history and mileage discrepancies, run a full vehicle check.

Does S243 SBJ have outstanding finance?

Finance checks require a premium vehicle report. This checks against all major UK finance providers to see if there is any outstanding finance on S243 SBJ. If you buy a car with outstanding finance, the finance company can repossess it.

No warranty or guarantee of accuracy is provided for any free data on this page. The data guarantee applies only to information obtained through the purchase of a full check.